itsy bitsy tiny CNC engraver (cheap)

[BeanO]

OK...
I know it's a waste of time....but,

I would like to build a itsy bitsy tiny CNC engraver (2"x2" table).

I'm a CNC programmer, at a machine shop, I want to build this engraver for absolutely no good reason whatsoever. (my definition of a hobby). OK, I think it might be kinda cool...

At the shop, we have BobCam, and I have the freeware version of Kcam, which will control a stepper motor controller.

Kcam says that it can control a stepper motor controler from my printer port.

I also have three stepper motors (12 volt) VERY tiny, with 2"
long lead screws, (from old 5 1/4 floppy drives), 4 wires into each

What i still NEED is a cheap (hobby priced) 25$ to 125$ interface (??? STEPPER MOTOR CONTROLLER ???), and some hints as to how to hook it up...

PS... i'm not really an electronics person..but i kinda, sorta understand transistors and diodes...

Thanks for any help and hints.

[NeoMoses]

unfortunately, I don't have much help for you along the lines of stepper motors/drivers. I'm just going to say that I don't think this is a waste of time. As long as you're learning from it, nothing's a waste of time. This would be a great way to start off building a first machine, 'cuz it won't bankrupt you.

I'm guessing you'll probably build this to accept a dremel or some other small engraving tool? My first thought, however, is that 2"x2" is going to be very small. When you say 2x2, I hope you mean travel, and not overall table size. My recommendation would be to go just slightly larger on your travel, perhaps 4x4 or so if you can. you'll be amazed at how much more you can fit in the machine, and you shouldn't have to worry much about stiffness with it being so small.

I'm just thinking about what you can do with a machine so small... It'd be a shame to throw it away if you decide it's too small and build a larger one. A 4x4 would be really handy for engraving small hand tools, plaques, jewelry, decorative nameplates, etc... I could think of hundreds of jobs that a little engraver that is 6x6 or smaller could do well, and would save the "big machines" enough time that lots of people would be interested. Just a thought, though.

[NeoMiller]

Stepper motor controllers are not that difficult to build. If you want to build one yourself, I can help you there. But if you you want to buy one ready made, I am sure there are many avaialable. To control such a small stepper, the controller should not cost even that much.

[BeanO]

Thanks for the input.

I might get another book on electronics, and try to build the thing with 'Radio Shack' parts.....

[ecnels]

Check out http://www.stepper3.com/ or query on the web using the words "stepper drivers" or "stepper controllers". There are several around - some pretty cheap, that work off of a computer's parallel port.

Regards,

Ev

[cbcnc]

Hi,

My wife wants me to mill some rubber stamps. But what comes to my mind when I think of a machine that small is micro milling. Things like jewelry and small camera parts and so on. You could use fine pitch leadscrews and go for resolution. I would try not to use a Dremel Tool though as the shaft has too much runout.

Chris

[ESjaavik]

Here is what you should use:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tem=3801894206

So far I've only used it handheld. But it's sooo nice. Hand milling aluminum is just like carving butter with a hot spoon! It runs quiet, more powerful than a Dremel, and no measurable runout. I tried, but I think I was measuring my indicator, not the spindle.

On eBay.de they go for Eur.400 - 800. The one at 800 was new in original box.

Einar

[JOE65]

Go to your local big box pet store (petcetera) and ckeck out the automated dog tag engravers. You put your money in, tpye your text, and boom a tiny 3axis engraver gos to work. Really cool.

[ESjaavik]

Here is what you should use:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...tem=3801894206

So far I've only used it handheld. But it's sooo nice. Hand milling aluminum is just like carving butter with a hot spoon! It runs quiet, more powerful than a Dremel, and no measurable runout. I tried, but I think I was measuring my indicator, not the spindle.

On eBay.de they go for Eur.400 - 800. The one at 800 was new in original box.

Einar

[teilhardo]

A good controller :

www.xylotex.com

Sounds like a fun project, what size leadscrew are you thinking of using?

[lancedulak]

These guys seem to think your made of money :P

A xylotex controller is WAY over the top for what yo uwant to do. Actually most of them are. You should check around hobby Robotics sites for the controlller or possibly steppers with builtin controllers. Or hobby RC car/plane sites. Ill bet money the leadscrews you have wont work (too much distance per turn).

Now you have me wanting to do your project A tiny 2 or 3" knee mill would be fantastic!

[Graham S]

but is an investment for the next machine and not expensive